Daily Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1882-1893, 1887-05-15
H0! FOR ARB0R DAY !
Come Out in Force! Let Every
one Join Hands and
Make Miles
The Forest City of the Yellow
stone-It Has Natural
Advantages.
ARBOR DAY.
Its Origin and Benefits.


Its Origin and Benefits.
Arbor Day originated in Kansas.
On January 4, 1872. ]. :. Morton sug-
gested the observance of such day to
the state board of agriculture. The
primary object of tree planting is to
Increase the rainfall and to prevent
the evaporation Of moisture and the
consequent destruction OF grass. 1t is
automatic that trees preserve the
ground In moist condition favorable
TO the growth of grass. Nearly all the
state Of Nebraska, like eastern Mon.
tana, In the plateau region between
the Rocky mountains and the plains
of the Mississippi valley is devoid Of
trees. The average annual rainfall Of
this plateau region varies in different
localities from twenty to twenty-five
inches. If prairie fires had not been
for hundreds of years devastating the
country the valleys would now be COW
cred by immense forests of cotton wood
and other trees. and the rainfall would
be much greater. These consider
atiOns with others OF more
or less weight prompted the
Nebraska authorities to provide for
Arbor Day which should be devoted
to the planting OF trees on both pub
lie and private lands. The movement
has been of positive benefit. Other
states have made similar provisions
and Arbor Day is now holiday by
the laws Of nearly every state aud ter
ritory Of the Union. The last iegisla.
ture enacted law requesting the gov.
ernor to designate an Arbor Day to
be observed by the people of Montana.
Next Tuesday is the day fixed by the
proclamation of Governor Leslie.
The situation OF Miles City suggests
the planting Of trees. The large cot
ton woods of natures planting. which
are scattered through the town de-
monstrates that trees will after few
seasons be self-snpporting. We heard
a stranger observing Miles City from
the butte east of Fort Keogh say,
"Miles City has forest on three sides
and will venture the prediction that
it's streets will some day be lined with
shade trees and Ii will pe called The
Forest City of the Yellowstone. This
season is especially favorable for the
growth of trees. The heavy SHOWS OF
tue past winter and the rains Of the
past week seem TO forecast year
when a large per cent. of the tree
planted can be safely carried through
the first summer, and trees which live
and get strong growth the first year
are comparatively safe. A medium
sized tree with plenty Of roots planted
in hole large enough TO give ampl,
room for the roots 10 begin ~ grow
and supplied with two buckets o
water daily during the summer seasor
has niue out of ten chances TO live
Every pump in Miles City ..ought b,
it's waste water support at least tive
trees. There are number Of pumpt
upon the streets and from each Of thes,
several trees IAN be easily watered
Persons whose lots extend into tb,
sloughs In the north and south
sides can have an srbor OF shade tree,
almost without any attention aftel
plsnting. The land Is SO low that Il
is only three or four feet to water ant
trees will certainly grow. So let u,
have a general tree planting mex
Tuesday. Let there be a committe,
of arrangements to find where tree
can be obtained; let all VINO are will
I ing to plant trees report TO that com
mittee how many they want; let then
also have holes, deep and large, pre-
pared for the trees and then Tuesda.
afternoon let everybody who Can, bus
iness man and boy, matron and maid
join in "A procession TO the island, or 4
whatever place the committee ma.
designate, to dig up trees and brlnI
them in. Close up your busines
house, or your Office, or lay down you
tools for one half day and give th'
time to the public good and the i'm
provement OF the town. Let every
body lend a helping hand and we vii
make Montsna's first Arbor Day
memorable in Miles City.